News and Events:
July 8, 2010
Governor Rendell: Nearly $2.3 Million Reimbursed to Applicants for February Snow Storm Costs Reimbursement Process Will Continue Over Coming Weeks, Months
Harrisburg – Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today that the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency reimbursed nearly $2.3 million to the commonwealth, local governments and certain nonprofit organizations to pay for costs associated with the Feb. 5-11 snowstorms.
“PEMA set a goal to have money to the applicants within 30 days after the Federal Emergency Management Agency released the funds,” said Governor Rendell. “Thanks to the hard work and cooperation among those two agencies and the Office of Administration, the Office of Budget and the state Treasury, that money is being turned around in under 10 business days.”
To date, the commonwealth has paid out $2,273,814. The Governor said that FEMA continues to review applications for reimbursement, a process that will continue over the coming weeks and months.
A federal disaster declaration issued in April opened the door for millions of dollars in federal funds to reimburse the costs of dealing with record-setting or near-record snowfall in 26 counties. Preliminary cost assessments estimated that as much as $50 million could be reimbursed to eligible applicants under the Public Assistance Program. In addition, several million dollars more is available in hazard mitigation funds to prevent damage from future storms.
“It takes a tremendous amount of time review all of the documentation associated with these applications, and the agencies involved in the process have been working very hard to make sure applicants get their funding as quickly as possible,” Governor Rendell said.
Citizens can better prepare for emergencies of all types by creating home and vehicle emergency kits with basic supplies. Downloadable checklists, as well as other valuable emergency preparedness information, are available online at www.ReadyPA.org.
Media contacts:
Ruth A. Miller (PEMA); 717-651-2009
Gary Tuma, Governor’s Office; 717-783-1116
June 8, 2010:
Friday June 18th is the deadline for potential applicants to submit their Request for Public Assistance (RPA) for the current snow declaration. There is no plan to request another extension. On Tuesday 6/15 we.ll send out a similar email to you listing those municipalities that have not submitted an RPA. We will also give you a list of those that have already withdrawn. As of this afternoon FEMA has completed 1,447 Kick-off Meetings and written 311 of the projected 1,700 project worksheets. They have obligated $1,048,000 of which we have invoiced $693,000. Actual payment transfers to applicant should begin this week, at this early stage, please do not have applicants call me to inquire about their payments. Contained within the .Daily Snow Disaster Report. PDF file (http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/document/821238/snow_disaster_1898_report_pdf under the heading of .Eligible Amount. you can now see the total eligible amount for each applicant (they will receive 75% of their eligible amount). When this .Eligible Amount. field has been populated it means we have invoiced their payment to the state treasury office. Applicants will receive a letter from PEMA advising them of the date of their invoice. They will also receive a copy of their approved Project Worksheet and the PEMA DAP-12, Project Completion form and instructions for closing out their snow grant.May 17, 2010:
Hazmat Compliance Letter from EMA/LEPC to Municipal Officals (Adobe .pdf)
May 17, 2010:
Hazmat Compliance Letter from EMA/LEPC to Municipal Officals (Adobe .pdf)
Apr 19, 2010:
Presidential Approval for Snow Removal Aid: Governor Rendell Hails Federal Approval of Winter Storm Disaster Assistance Request.
Read the Full Press Release (Adobe .pdf)
Feb 19, 2010:
Governor Rendell Directs Early Release of Liquid Fuel Payments to Ease Burden of Winter Storm Cleanup Costs
Important Documents For Disaster Assistance
Emergency Management Coordinators/Elected Officials can use the following links to access forms and information to assess and document damages within their community or county: